East Liberty question - safety and parking (Pittsburgh, McDonald: lease, hotel)

[sherry7]

I just found out that I'm getting transferred to East Liberty this fall. (We were previously slated to transfer to downtown, so the change to East Liberty might be a good thing, at least in terms of commuting from my home.) Anyway, I'm really not familiar with the area, other than driving through on Penn Ave a few times. I've heard the area is being revitalized, but I'm not sure to what extent.

Several of my co-workers mentioned how dangerous the area is, not wanting to walk through the area while it was dark, etc. Our office is on the 200th block of N. Highland Ave. (There's a Midas Muffler nearby, and Eastminster Presby church is across the street.) Can anyone comment on how safe/unsafe this particular area is?

Also, can anyone give advice about parking? The lot at our building will be much too small to accommodate the extra 30+ people being transferred in. I've search on the net, but I can't seem to find any public parking lots in the area.

[selltheburgh]

There are some lots around there. Many are lease lots or parking authority. There's also free on street parking near the Obama School and Home depot.

The 200 block of N Highland is going to a major transformation. There's a lot of development around there.

Don't walk down dark alleyways alone at night, don't start an argument with a stranger and don't go out of your way looking for trouble. If you follow those rules, you'll likely be fine 99.9% of the time around there.

You'll have a lot of good food options within a 1-10 minute walk of there.

[gg]

That spot isn't that bad. I am around there at all hours. Yes, East Liberty has some dangers, but I think that spot is pretty good. Sure, there is theft and such, but not many shooting around that church. Not much there for the losers to go to and start trouble.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by sherry7

Also, can anyone give advice about parking? The lot at our building will be much too small to accommodate the extra 30+ people being transferred in. I've search on the net, but I can't seem to find any public parking lots in the area.

Parking is a bit of a headache over there. When I was going over there 6 years ago, there was all day street parking available on N. Beatty behind the McDonalds and over near the Advance Auto Parts on Penn Circle North. But I was only able to manage that because I got there at 7:30 a.m.

[sherry7]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

There are some lots around there. Many are lease lots or parking authority. There's also free on street parking near the Obama School and Home depot.

The 200 block of N Highland is going to a major transformation. There's a lot of development around there.

Don't walk down dark alleyways alone at night, don't start an argument with a stranger and don't go out of your way looking for trouble. If you follow those rules, you'll likely be fine 99.9% of the time around there.

You'll have a lot of good food options within a 1-10 minute walk of there.

Thanks for the info. You mentioned free parking near Home Depot and the Obama school. Is that just for a limited time period, or could I park there for about 9 hours at a stretch?

Originally Posted by h_curtis

That spot isn't that bad. I am around there at all hours. Yes, East Liberty has some dangers, but I think that spot is pretty good. Sure, there is theft and such, but not many shooting around that church. Not much there for the losers to go to and start trouble.

Thanks for the info. From the way a couple of my co-workers talked, it sounded much worse. Of course, they previously worked in the building quite a few years ago, so I guess things changed for the better.

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Parking is a bit of a headache over there. When I was going over there 6 years ago, there was all day street parking available on N. Beatty behind the McDonalds and over near the Advance Auto Parts on Penn Circle North. But I was only able to manage that because I got there at 7:30 a.m.

Thanks for the info. I typically work a 7:30 shift, so that should work for me.

[markson33]

I think/hope that in a year or two you will be very happy to be in that area. The Hotel Indigo should be done in that time and there will probably be some new restaurants too. There are a couple of public lots off of Broad Street.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by markson33

I think/hope that in a year or two you will be very happy to be in that area. The Hotel Indigo should be done in that time and there will probably be some new restaurants too. There are a couple of public lots off of Broad Street.

Its a darn shame that Walsh's closed out there on Broad St., they had an excellent lunch and Mr. Walsh always seemed glad to see working people in his establishment.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

East Liberty is perfectly fine these days, assuming you have the tiniest amount of street awareness. Honestly, I don't even think you need that anymore. I am in the neighborhood on a pretty infrequent, but regular basis, for what it's worth.

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by CaptainPittsburgh

East Liberty is perfectly fine these days, assuming you have the tiniest amount of street awareness. Honestly, I don't even think you need that anymore. I am in the neighborhood on a pretty infrequent, but regular basis, for what it's worth.

I agree - except there are a few desolate alleyways where there are buildings under construction. At night and in the evening they are dark and eerie. You'd probably avoid dark empty alleyways Downtown or in Oakland as well.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

I agree - except there are a few desolate alleyways where there are buildings under construction. At night and in the evening they are dark and eerie. You'd probably avoid dark empty alleyways Downtown or in Oakland as well.

Definitely. Good point.